Max Baucus: “I might ask the question--the reason is because I checked with Senators who were at that meeting and they said: No…”

“I might ask the question--the reason is because I checked with Senators who were at that meeting and they said: No, sorry, I am not going to agree with that. They are going backwards. They were going in the other direction. They didn't want to meet. It is unfortunate, it is so unfortunate. To be candid, Senator, you and I know you and I were the last two standing on this issue. Basically you are the last one standing on this issue trying to find agreement. But it is clear there are not enough Senators in this body who also want agreement at this time. That is why I think we cannot let the Medicare provider legislation be held hostage to another bill which does have an agreement. It is very unfortunate we could not get agreement. But it is partly because the Senate, as well as the House, is still a bit too partisan on all matters--not all matters, but most matters. Particularly on this issue, because it gets to a very fundamental question which this body and the other body will have to address, the whole country is going to have to address, and that is: What is the future of health care in this country? To what degree is it going to be privatized, to what degree not? That is a huge question. The prescription drug benefit debate is really the opening shot of that larger debate. I wish that were not so.…”